Courthouse windows damaged by gunfire

Sheriff's Department investigating apparent act of vandalism

The Cole County Sheriff's Department is investigating property destruction to the courthouse over the weekend.

At least four windows at the Cole County Courthouse were damaged after someone shot them.

Capt. John Wheeler said a pellet gun was used, and three pellets have been recovered. Investigators are trying to narrow down the time period that the incident occurred, Wheeler said.

Early Monday afternoon, Wheeler said the department has no leads or suspects. He asked anyone with information to call the Sheriff's Department at 634-9160.

He doesn't know yet whether any video tape of the incident exists.

Presiding Commissioner Sam Bushman was shocked when he arrived at the courthouse this morning to find Greg Camp, the county's facilities manager, and three sheriff's deputies looking over the damage.

"This is a very expensive prank," Bushman said. "These windows are not cheap. The one that came down is a couple thousand dollars. This is going to be an expensive act of vandalism."

He said there have been recent incidents of kids shooting out car windows with BB guns, but that this was done with a pellet gun. No other recent vandalism has occurred at the courthouse, he said.